A group of Russian tourists whose kayaks were stolen in the Eastern Cape have been found after an observant member of the community spotted them.
The whitewater kayaks, which the group brought with them, were stolen with a trailer on Tuesday while at a shopping mall in Mthatha.
They had to fly home without it on Thursday.
COL. Provincial police spokesman Sibongile Soci says information from a member of the community provided the breakthrough in their investigation.
According to Soci, the investigator received information about the trailer and followed it up immediately. He found the trailer along the road between Tsolo and Maclear.
“Further investigation led police to a home in Highbury, near the Mthatha Dam, where the kayaks were found.”
No one has been arrested in connection with the theft and the police investigation is ongoing.
Lieutenant General. Provincial Police Commissioner Liziwe Ntshinga praised the community for their good cooperation with the police. She says the community plays a key role when it comes to solving crimes.
According to Ntshinga, the complainant also thanked the police.
The group of tourists interrupted their rowing excursion on Tuesday to bring a member of their group to the St. Mary Hospital in Mthatha.
After their hospital visit, they went to the mall. They parked their van and the trailer with the kayaks across from one of the entrances. Upon their return, the trailer was gone.
The group of eight was in the country as part of a month-long white-water rowing tour in Southern Africa. It started in Mutare, Zimbabwe, after which they crossed the Zambezi River.
They arrived in KwaZulu-Natal just over a week ago and have been traveling the Tsitsa River near Mthatha for the past week.
